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Sedation with nitrous oxide

Despite all the progress made in the field of dental medicine with respect to analgesics and dental techniques, “fear of the dentist” is still very common. For some anxious patients, the idea of going to the dentist is a source of stress and fear. In some cases, this fear prevents them from getting the dental care they need. This is why it is important to take this situation seriously.

Since 2001, an alternative, conscious sedation method has been offered. Nitrous oxide is inhaled, enabling patients to relax while remaining awake. By foregoing other traditional sedation methods, such as general anesthesia, patients don’t have to deal with contraindications and side effects.

What is nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide helps patients feel better by eliminating their anxiety. The gas helps patients relax by diminishing anxiety and reactions to painful stimuli, without putting them to sleep. It even affects the perception of time, making patients feel like the procedure went by much faster.

Advantages

Simple to administer: Patients breathe into a nasal mask. No injections are required.

Patients stay awake during the entire procedure. They are able to cooperate, answer questions and let the dentist know how they’re feeling.

A patient’s breathing is unaffected during the entire sedation, making this method very safe.

The gas acts quickly, in about three to five minutes.

Once the procedure is finished, oxygen is administered to the patient, immediately neutralizing the effects of the nitrous oxide. In five minutes, the product is completely eliminated from the lungs and no traces of it are left in the body.

Patients can go back to their normal physical or intellectual activities right away.

Nitrous oxide can be used on children as young as six.

Benefits

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) helps patients feel more comfortable, in addition to making the dentist and the rest of the team’s work easier. This sedation method increases patient safety during more delicate procedures and therefore improves their success rate.

For patients who are afraid of going to the dentist, nitrous oxide is a great option. When anxiety is lessened, it’s easier to see a dentist on a regular basis or as soon as there is a problem. Consequently, treatments are less invasive and the patient experience is more positive, ensuring better oral health in the long run.